 A preliminary report by Yadda Africa has revealed that Youth Candidacy for the coming 2023 general elections have dropped by 6% since the last elections in 2019. According to the reports, which the group certified accurate as of October 5, 2022, the Youth Candidacy for the coming elections stood at 28.6% as against 2019's 34% representing a good 6% decline since last year. A further breakdown showed that Youth Candidacy for House of Representatives plunged from 27.4% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2023. Similarly, the State House of Assembly has also dropped from 41.8% in 2019 to 35.6% in 2023. Joining us to discuss this is Beniza Wiccanahi, the campaign strategist Change.org. Thank you so much to Beniza for joining us. Great. Let's just go straight to it. Why do you think there's such a decline in youth participation? We were all excited, young people were excited, not too young to run bill, and of course, it was some form of a motivator for young people to get involved in politicking. But then a few years down the line, here we are complaining about the fact that young people seem to have dropped off the chart. What exactly happened? Yeah, I mean, very good premise, but I think that the reasons are very obvious to all of us. Quite a number of parties have continued to lead their nomination forms at a very high price. There's also the challenge of money politics, where people who go for the national convention are swayed by money to vote one way or the other. There are issues like lack of mentorship, there are issues where the certain elites group has sort of decided to stay in various positions, so that the national or space level almost forever. So you just see a situation where a young person can hardly have been shot because of the fact that all of these things, like money and the whole money politics, and everything just stuck against you. I think that's one of the reasons why we've seen a decrease as opposed to an increase. But it's important to also note that we're seeing an increase in civic engagement. Young people are counting for a high percentage of new voters, and we're seeing that there are many young people who are interested in elections more than ever before. At Chain.org, we're seeing a lot of petitions, young people passing petitions on issues around the electoral reforms, issues like the ballot papers should not have pictures of candidates and their parties. We're seeing a lot more young people getting involved in other issues, especially around civic engagement and even voter sensitization. So even though, sadly, we are seeing a decline based on these factors, I think that there's also a win at the other end where we're going to see. And I actually think that as opposed to other cycles where we've seen a turnout of somewhere like 32 percent in the presidential elections, I think this year my house only goes to 60 percent, because there are many young people who are willing to come out, go out there, get their cards and be willing to excise their civic duty here. I like where you ended this, but I want to take you back again. How do we stare the pot if we're not in the kitchen? We're always saying that these political parties throw up all kinds of candidates half the time where we're in a position where we have to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. So if we're not really in that kitchen, how do we make sure that that change really happens? Yes, we should return up for the elections. That will be a great turn up, you know, but then why aren't we part of the decision making to also make sure that the right kinds of people or the voteable people are the ones that the parties threw up for the elections? Indeed. Actually, so the way I love to sit, I see it like a spectrum, right? I think that there's a place we used to be before, you know, before not too young to run, and there's a place we are now, and I think that's going to be a gradual process before we get to the level where we have more young people engaged in being voted for, coming out to run and campaign and become candidates of their parties. So in Yaga's reports, Yaga showed that the most youth-friendly party, based on the number of youth candidates that they had in their parties, ADC, right? And that's interesting because the two lists, you know, youth-friendly parties were the two major parties, UAPC and the PDP, right? So it just shows that we still have a long way to go, right? In parties becoming a lot more youth-friendly and youth-centric. And I think it goes even beyond money. I think, you know, parties even need to start thinking of mentorship. How do we even mentor young leaders all across the country? We've left that job pretty much just for CSOs, right? So how do parties even begin to mentor young leaders? Because if the other generation will pass down leadership, who will pass it to? You know, I think that even though we're seeing some progress in the mainstream parties, I think a lot more still needs to be done. So that spectrum, you know, we see have a way to go, but we're nowhere we used to be before. And I think that that progress, with much effort, will eventually get there. Still looking at what the report has to say, the Northwest, if we look closely, has the highest youth candidates, especially for the 2023 elections. Now, what does the North or the Northwest understand that the rest of the regions need to, you know, key into or borrow a leaf from? What do you think it is that, you know, these guys are cashing in on and we're yet to understand the secret? Yeah, I mean, I think that the Northwest seems to be a region that is really politically active and we're even seeing that trickling down to even the younger generation. I think that generally, you know, it does appear that, you know, the northern part of the country seems to, you know, be more inclined into the policies of the country versus the South, even though I strongly believe that, you know, these coming elections would rewrite the whole lot of those narratives. So I've seen a lot of activity and action, you know, on all angles, you know, from all political, from all geopolitical zones, you're saying people all active and getting involved. But generally, you know, the North does seem to have that more inclination towards the politics of the country and the national politics. And I think that's why we're seeing that figure there. The Southwest is picking up too, right? So the Southwest is also picking up, the South side is picking up. I think that as time progresses, we'll see a lot more engagement. I just think we need to give it time, right? And I think time pretty much heals everything. And time pretty much gives us that room to go. And so at Chain.org, one of the things that we're doing is that we're trying to build movement accelerators. So we have two programs focused on women and youths. One of them is called She Creates Change, the other is called We Create Change. And we're trying to see how we can even get people from all parts of the country to start thinking about even their community. How do you think of this problem, come up with a solution, that's a petition, and rally around your community to even solve that problem. And so we're beginning to see how young people from all across the country, you know, applied for the We Create Change application. And we're having the trainings and programs just to get people into that mindset. Because when they start caring about social issues, I think it's easier to make that transition from social to political once they begin to care. But once people don't care even about the drainage, you know, outside their house, or the refuse dump close to the market, you know, it's difficult to make them understand why they should care about politics. But I think once we go from that social, you know, angle and that's what we're trying to do. I think we'll get to that point all across the country, you know, north, south, east, west people and young people who generally care about politics. Yeah. Let me query a few things that you've said, of course. Sure. And then this is some of the things that Yerga also referenced to, you know, expensive party tickets, you know, money politics, et cetera, et cetera. We've seen young people in this country. I mean, I make bold to say that President Bahari in his first coming had people give as low as 100 Naira to support his campaign. We're seeing also a phenomenon that's, you know, blowing across the country with the PTAB people and the obedience. We're seeing that people are supporting, you know, this man. But why can't we get that same support, that galvanizing attitude within young people for young people? And I'm not in any way trying to campaign against anybody. But I'm saying young people need to stand up for themselves. And if we're doing this for the guys in the old boys club, why can't we do that for ourselves? Exactly. I mean, you also look at things like big, big brother, people have references, like big brother, you know, how young people vote for their candidates, several things, football, people are willing to spend money on betting and everything. I think it's a value state, to be honest. I think it's a value system. And I think that even just generally as a society, we need to relearn our values and begin to teach people a lot more about civic leadership, teach people about the fact that they have a responsibility to their country, the fact that leadership should be everyone's business, shouldn't be just for the politicians, you know, it should be something everyone is caring about. I think it's just a value thing. And, you know, I think that, again, I think it's a work in progress. I don't think that we're as bad as it used to be a few years ago. I mean, Ensaas really was just one of those ways where you can see that the next generation actually can come together and put themselves together and make a change, right? And begin to speak up and let their voices be heard, not just nationally, but internationally. So I think that, you know, it's a process. But just generally, we need to look at our value system and ensure that even as young as basic school, you know, we need to talk about civic leadership, the fact that they have a role to play in their society and have a role to play in whatever their country becomes. So I think it's a value thing. So it's not something we can just solve by saying, everyone, go vote for XYZ candidates, you know, you take the time, take a while for us to get to that level. Yeah. Still talking about value systems here. Yes, if we say that it's a value thing, then does it mean that maybe the priorities of the 2020, or the New Day Nigerian young person is what? Because I'm wondering if our priorities is to buy things or give money to people who sit in a room for 30 plus days, walk around, eat noodles and just do all kinds of things. If that's where our priorities lie and we give them money still out of the money that we complain that we don't have, then what do we need to do that would stare our priorities in the right direction? How do we reprioritize or reprogram the minds of these young people? Amazing question. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think first, very easy. I think people need to even understand that government can work. I prefer to not blame people who look for escape, like football and whether it's bigger than Nigeria. Any of these things that people are often just looking for comedy. I mean, you look both on Nigerian Twitter or Nigerian Instagram is just full with comedy, right? Because I'm just the story of our country, right? There's flooding right now and there's very little government's, you know, attention on that. I mean, there are just so many things happening everywhere. And people are often looking for an escape. And I think once we begin to make people see that government can work and that not just politicians, but people in office, public leaders can be accountable. I think it's the accountability factor. That's what's leading to that disconnection. You know, so people would rather spend their money doing something else or spend their money trying to jump out from the country, right? But I think that once people see that government can work and that they can hold leaders accountable, they can vote you in, vote you out in four years if you don't do the right thing. I think that we will then we'll begin to feel a lot more connection. So I think the priorities now are mostly like in escape forms. How can people escape from the tragedies, from the challenges that we see in the country? And how can we really make government to work once we begin to make government to work? I think everything. Let's talk about momentum now. We've seen, like I said, I want to make reference again to the social media movements. We've seen the articulated people. We've seen the obedience. We've seen the Kwan-Kwaseers. We've seen the bat movements. These are somewhat of momentous. Well, we also see that there are, you know, useful efforts in most of these camps. But just as you made mention of the 2020 October 20 situation, which was the Ansars, it seemed to have died down. How are we certain that we can build and sustain the momentum that young people are feeling, the emotions or the bust of, you know, sentiments that we're seeing today? How are we certain that we can sustain that to 2023 and not again have to see the kind of voter apathy that we experienced in 2015 and 2019? Amazing. Amazing question. And I think that that's why, so before I answer the question, that's one of the reasons why Chain.org focuses on democracy beyond the ballot. You know, most people only remember that they have public leaders when it's, you know, another four-year cycle to vote and campaigning and everything. But I think Chain.org tries to engage people on the day-to-day, you know, what is, whether it's the budgeting, whether it's, you know, there's a new loan, whether it's patriot health funds. What are the everyday issues that affect the everyday Nigerian, you know, from every part of the country? And how can they be involved in those issues? So I think that we'll be able to sustain the movements if we're able to move beyond just this 2023. We need to move beyond just, you know, the fact that it's February, March, you're voting for a new president and new governors and senators, to the fact that even when people get in there, how do we engage them on the day-to-day, you know? So moving beyond just who you're voting for, the party you're voting for, you know, accountability on the day-to-day, asking the important questions, and asking them without bias or without sentiments to so on from your region or so on from your party, but just being, you know, just being honest with ourselves, that's okay, this is the amount of money we have, you know, why are we spending on XYZ and how can we make our country better? I think just that day-to-day engagement, you know, will help to make things better. And I think that's the only way we can sustain this whole thing. I don't think the momentum from Ensa has died. I think you kind of like metamorphized to, you know, what we have now with the registrations and people get involved with elections and everything. And I think that if you want to keep this movement going, you know, and not just kill everything, we need to first ensure that elections are fair and fair, that when people actually come out to vote, you know, their votes count, and even when the eventually does emerge, you know, they become accountable to the people. They don't just lock up and, you know, and just get lost. Right now, they're moving all across the country, engaging people at stadiums, you know, asking questions, making promises. But when you eventually get in there, would you still be willing to answer questions? You know, so if you don't have a media chat for eight years, that should not probably happen in 2020. So we want a situation where people are accountable to the people who voted that name and are able to keep the conversation going. That's the only way we can keep this working. Finally, chain.org and the young people that work with you. Is this a promise on national TV that you're going to continue to help young people hold the feet of politicians to the fire so that we can see the change that we desire? Not just politicians, really. It's public leadership everywhere, right? Every nook and cranny. Chain.org in Nigeria continues to work with young people, women, young people, especially those who seem to not have a voice. Changes mantra is that, you know, people need to be given a voice such that they can speak and see change happen. And, you know, the work that change is doing to engage the national assembly, ensuring that we have a stronger petition system so that when people start petitions online, it doesn't just end with signing online, but then there's offline action to follow up and need to change. So yes, chain.org. I mean, it's a promise that has been there. Even before, I would always say there's been a promise online, and anyone who is there can see chain.org, you know, to learn more about the work and start the petition about an area you care about. And there are so many petitions on the platform right now, addressing so many issues around elections and human rights and education. Do we have to check it out and add your voice to it? Yeah. Benizawikina is the campaign strategist for change.org. Always a pleasure to have conversations with you, Benizah. Thank you. Thank you for coming on the show. And that's it on Plus Politics Tonight. Tomorrow we'll be back talking for development on the biggest stories in the political scene, especially in Nigeria. I'm Mary Anacone. Have a good evening.